SAN JUAN, P. R. – Junior guard Kaitlin Peterson scored 21 points to mark her fourth consecutive double-digit effort to lead the UCF women’s basketball team to a 63-54 win over Jackson State on Thursday evening in the Knights first of three contests at the Discover Puerto Rico Classic.
The Knights (4-0) outrebounded the Tigers (3-1) 43-34, while Jackson State forced the Black and Gold into 25 turnovers. Mya Burns (16) and Khyala Ngodu (12) joined Peterson in double digits in scoring. Achol Akot and Ngodu led the team with seven rebounds apiece.
The Knights went up 6-2 within the first 2:30 of play but the Tigers chipped away at the Knights' lead to pull within one at the media timeout, 8-7. A driving layup from Jackson State gave the squad the lead 11-10 with 3:46 left in the first. The Black and Gold answered back with a 9-0 run ignited by a layup from Akot to own a 19-11 lead following the first quarter.
UCF continued to breeze through the second quarter totaling 20 points going 8-12 from the field and snagging 11 rebounds. UCF limited the Tigers to just four field goals and two free throws which marked the lowest quarter score (10) for Jackson State this season, as the Knights headed into the locker room with a 39-21 advantage.
The Black and Gold proceeded with their scoring ways into the third quarter gaining as much as a 20-point lead with Khyala Ngodu tallying eight points and going 3-4 from the field in the period. UCF headed into the final frame with a 56-37 edge over the Tigers.
With UCF owning a 19-point lead to start the fourth quarter, Jackson State rallied to trim the margin but the Knights would not relinquish the advantage and held on for the nine-point victory. JSU scored 17 points with 12 from the field and limited the Knights to just seven points.
The Knights are back in action on Friday, Nov. 24, against St. John’s. Tipoff against the Red Storm is set for 3 p.m. ET.